The Idol Worshipped by Mother Yashoda: The Divine Legacy of Kanipura Gopalakrishna!


The Idol Worshipped by Mother Yashoda: The Divine Legacy of Kanipura Gopalakrishna!

Kanipura Shri Gopalakrishna Temple

This is a supremely holy field of Lord Krishna in South India, boasting a history spanning three Yugas! It is a pilgrimage center considered as sacred as Udupi and Guruvayur, often referred to as the Mathura or Dwarka of South India. This temple was established by a great sage who began his penance waiting for Lord Rama in the Treta Yuga, lost track of time and finally received the vision (Darshan) of Lord Krishna in the Dwapara Yuga!

This is one of the four primary temples of the Kumbla region. It is a center of immense divine power; during the British era, authorities tried to remove the temple for a railway line and years ago, the government tried to move it for the National Highway. Yet, the Lord remained immovable, standing firm on this soil! Standing tall in the birthplace of Yakshagana (specifically the Tenkutittu style), this Lord protects all people, rushing to the aid of devotees the moment they cry out, "Krishna...!" It is a place of wonders, holding many secrets within, including the legend of the Lord riding a white horse through the town at night.

By reading this introduction, have you guessed which temple this is? This is the Kanipura Sri Gopalakrishna Temple, located in Kumbla, Kasaragod District! 

The Legend of the Three Yugas

Lord Kanipura Gopalakrishna

It was the Treta Yuga. When Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Vishnu, was on his way to Lanka to wage war against Ravana, Kanva Maharshi was performing penance to see him. Lord Rama promised the sage that He would grant him Darshan upon his return from Lanka. Kanva Maharshi continued his penance, waiting for the Lord, losing all sense of time. However, bound by his promise to his brother Bharata to return to Ayodhya immediately, Rama could not visit the sage. Days turned into ages; the Rama avatar ended, the Treta Yuga passed, and the Dwapara Yuga arrived.

When Adharma (unrighteousness) began to dance across the world, Lord Vishnu incarnated as Krishna to restore Dharma. After spending his childhood in Gokula and Vrindavan with Yashoda and Nandagopa, the time came for Krishna to return to Mathura. At that moment, Krishna gave an idol of himself to Mother Yashoda, saying, "I will reside in this idol forever; see Me in this." Yashoda worshiped this idol as Gopalakrishna.

As time passed, Kanva Maharshi realized that the Rama avatar had ended and Vishnu had incarnated as Krishna. He traveled to Dwarka to see the Lord. Upon seeing the sage, Krishna gave him the very idol Yashoda had worshipped and told him to worship it. Carrying this sacred idol from Dwarka, Kanva Maharshi traveled south. When he arrived at this spot and saw the "Vasuki Kunda" (Vasuki Pond), he decided there was no place more suitable than this.

This Vasuki Kunda has a connection to the Samudra Manthana (Churning of the Ocean); it is the very spot where the serpent king Vasuki hid during the event. In such a holy place, Gopalakrishna was installed! The town, originally named "Kanvapura" after the sage, eventually became known as "Kanipura." After being established by Kanva Maharshi, the temple came under the rule of various kings and after the 1600s, it came under the administration of the Maipadi royal family.

The Unshakeable Power of the Deity

The power of Kanipura Sri Gopalakrishna is beyond imagination! In the 1800s, under British rule, a survey was conducted to build a railway line from Kozhikode(then Calicut) to Mangaluru(then Mangalore). The final report was ready and the tracks were mapped to pass right through the temple grounds! Only the Chief Engineer's signature was needed for approval. However, just as he was about to sign, the engineer reportedly lost his eyesight and his life fell into ruin. Consequently, the British government re-evaluated the proposal and rerouted the tracks to their current location, sparing the temple.

Similarly, a few years ago, during the widening of National Highway 66 (Panvel-Thiruvananthapuram-Kanyakumari), it was discovered that the temple, up to its flag post (Kodimara), would have to be demolished. Led by the late Pejavara Swamiji, lakhs of people protested to save the temple. Eventually, the highway plan was altered to curve behind the temple, as we see today.

Before the recent renovation and Brahmakalashotsava (consecration ceremony), an Ashtamangala Prashne (astrological divination) was conducted. The divine will was revealed clearly: "I will not move from here. If anyone can, let them try to move Me!" This proved that the Lord is firmly rooted in the holy soil of Kanipura. No matter how hard anyone tries, it is impossible to displace the deity or the temple. Such is the glory of Kanipura Sri Gopalakrishna!


 

Miracles and Traditions

Elders of the town recount that in older times, Lord Krishna would ride a white horse at midnight to patrol the town of Kumbla. This signifies that the Lord is not only present here but also personally looks after the welfare of his devotees and the state of his town. The locals believe that the Kanipura Gopalakrishna is no ordinary deity, but one of immense power.

The temple is also known as "Satya Chavadi" (The Hall of Truth) because it is said that no one can utter a lie here.

According to the scriptures of Tulunadu temples, a renovation and Brahmakalashotsava should occur every 12 or 18 years, as the Ashtabandha (binding mixture) around the idol weakens. However, after the developments in 1971 and 1989, no major renovation took place here for a staggering 36 years! Two years ago, extensive development works were finally undertaken, followed by a grand re-consecration and Brahmakalashotsava.

The Cradle of Yakshagana

Kanipura has another special distinction: it is the home of Yakshagana.

Who among Yakshagana fans has not heard the name Parthisubba? Recognized as the father of Tenkutittu Yakshagana, Parthisubba hailed from this very town. He composed many songs and Yakshagana plays (Prasanghas) in praise of Kanipura Gopalakrishna and Madhur Ganapathi. Thus, Kanipura is known as the maternal home of Yakshagana. The art form and the temple share an inseparable bond and a Yakshagana service (Seva) is performed for the Lord every year during the annual festival.

Uthsava moorthi(idol used during festival) of Lord Gopalakrishna 


The Divine Form and Festival

The idol of Gopalakrishna, which came from Dwarka like the idols of Udupi and Guruvayur, is incredibly beautiful. Just as in Udupi and Guruvayur, the Lord is worshipped here in his child form (Bala Roopa).

  • Kanipura: Gopalakrishna stands holding butter in one hand.

  • Udupi: Krishna holds a churning rod (Kadagolu).

  • Guruvayur: Though a child, he appears with four arms (Chaturbhuja), holding the conch, discus, mace and lotus.

This temple, shining as a major Krishna pilgrimage center in South India, celebrates its annual festival for five days starting from Makara Sankramana. The Darshana Bali and the "Kumbla Bedi" (Fireworks) are the highlights. On the fourth night, the magnificent Kumbla Bedi takes place. Just as Adoor Bedi and Madhur Bedi are famous in Kasaragod and Puttur Bedi in Dakshina Kannada, the fireworks of Kumbla are equally renowned.

Located close to the National Highway, just 39 km from Mangalore and 15 km from Kasaragod, you must visit this temple in Kumbla at least once! You will undoubtedly experience a unique divine presence, receive Krishna's Darshan, and be blessed.

Vasudeva sutam devam kamsa chanura mardanam |  

Devaki paramanandam krishnam vande jagadgurum ||

✍️ Shreekara B

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